Sickwax - Wax Plastic Surgery | EP Review

By Huw Goodhead

After their October 2010 release ‘Skint Prestige,’ Sickwax had a productive 2011. Getting support slots for artists like Dizraeli, Gentelmens Dub Club and Kate Tempest. Playing festivals such as Shambala and doing a headline tour of the southwest. The beginning of 2012 has been a bit quiet so far but with the recent release of their second EP I’m sure things are about to get a little bit noisier. Sickwax are a 5 piece band (although 7 on the EP) mixing elements of dub and jazz on a strong hip hop structure. If you’re a fan of Dizraeli’s work or Gentlemen’s Dub Club then you sure are in for a treat.

The new six track EP “Wax Plastic Surgery” delivers the same Sickwax sound I have come accustomed to, but with plenty of growth and development. Everything is tighter on this EP, every band member has stepped up their game. First track “Mr Mahon” starts off as we mean to carry on, with funky guitar, big bass, hard hitting vocals, drums that are tight as hell and a perfect horn section. “Bridge the Gap” whisks me away to last summer watching Sickwax pack out the Chai Wallahs tent at Shambala, getting everyone dancing! It’s with songs like this and even more so “Sun Settles Out..” that Sickwax show they aren’t your standard hiphop or dub band. They show depth and understanding of music, effortlessly the EP flows from straight up hiphop to jazz soaked chill out.

I thoroughly recommend that everyone check out the new EP and get to a live show! Sickwax are a 10-legged beast to be watched very carefully!

The EP will be available to order by email: [email protected]